Mulling apparatus



March 8, 1949. w F, PlPER v v 2,463,556

` MULLIING APPARTUS Filed July 2, 1945 v'la sheets-sheet 1 III.

March 8, 1949. w. F. PIPER 42,463,556

MULLING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Jy WQQM@ Patented Mar. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENTVOFFICE MULLIN G APPARATUS Walter F. Piper, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Pettibone Mulliken Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application July 2, 1945, Serial No. ,602,760

8 Claims. l

The present invention relates generally to mulling apparatus. More particularly the invention relates to that type of apparatus which is designed and adapted to mull material, such, for example, as molding sand in order properly to condition it preparatory to use and as its main components or parts comprises: (l) a bowlshaped receptacle which is adapted to receive and retain a batch of the material to be mulled and embodies a circular bottom wall and an annular upwardly extending side wall; (2) a rotary horizontally extending crosshead which is disposed in, and extends across, the central portion of the receptacle and is connected for drive by power means, such as an electric motor and speed reducing gearing; (3) a horizontal element which overlies the crosshead, has one portion thereof pivotally connected to the crosshead in order that it is capable in connection with drive of the crosshead to swing outwards by centrifugal force toward the side wall of the receptacle, and has on the distal portion thereof a vertically extending axle; and (4) a rotary horizontal mulling wheel which is mounted on the axle and operates in response to drive of the crosshead to travel in a circular course or path around the receptacle interior and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against the side wall of the receptacle.

One object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus of this type which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over, previously designed apparatus of the same general character and is characterized by simplicity of design and also high efliciency.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus of the type and character under consideration in which the pivotal connection between the horizontal axle carrying element and the cross head includes a simple and novel adjustment whereby it may be adjusted radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the crosshead in order that it is possible to vary the spacing of the mulling wheel with respect to the receptacle side wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus oi the last mentioned character in which the adjustment for the pivotal connection between the axle carrying element and the cross head is in the form of a vertically extending eccentric shaft which is mounted in an upstanding set screw carrying sleeve on the crosshead.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus in which the body of the mulling wheel is so designed that it surrounds and covers the horizontal axle carrying element on the closshead to the end that it is possible readily to clean the operating parts of the apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mulling apparatus which is generally of new and improved construction and may be manufactured and operated at a comparatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present mulling apparatus will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set 'forth and are more particularly dened by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a mulling apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line l2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section of one of the mulling wheels and the parts associated therewith; and

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and illustrating in detail the construction, design and arrangement of the eccentric shafts constituting the adjustments between the horizontal axle carrying elements and the crosshead.

The apparatus which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It serves as a medium for mulling material such as molding sand in a foundry in order properly to condition it preparatory to use, and as its main or principal parts comprises a bowl-shaped receptacle I, a rotary horizontally extending crosshead I'I, a pair of horizontal disc-like elements I2, and a pair of rotary mulling wheels I3.

The receptacle `II) is adapted to be charged with a batch of the material to be mulled and embodies a substantially flat circular bottom I4 and an annular upstanding side wall I5. The side iwall of the receptacle is joined to, and extends upwards from, the margin of the bottom wall If and forms or constitutes a track around which the mulling wheels lI3 travel in connection with a mulling operation. A doorway I6 is formed'in the side wall I5 and permits the material to be discharged from the receptacle after a mulling operation. This doorway is normally closed by a door I'l which is mounted so that it may be swung back and forth between open and closed positions. The receptacle is supported in an elevated position with respect to the flooi1 of the foundry or other establishment in which the apparatus is used by way of a plurality of laterally spaced upstanding legs lil, the upper ends of which `are suitably connecte-:l to the receptacle bottom wall I4. When the apparatus is to be used the batch of the material to be mulled is introduced into the receptacle and then after being mulled as hereinafter described is discharged via the doorway I5.

The rotary horizontally extending crosshead I I is located in the central portion of the receptacle IIJ directly over the bottom wall I4 and carries the elements I2 and the mulling wheels I3. It is composite in character and comprises a horizontal upper disc I9 and a horizontal lower disc 28. These two discs are the same in diameter as shown in Figure 1, and are spaced vertically apart by way of an annular series of angularly disposed vanes 2I. rially less diameter than the receptacle side wall and embodies a central depending drive shaft (not shown) The latter has its upper end suitably connected to the central portion of the disc journalled in a housing 22. An electric motor 23 and suitable speed reducing gearing in the housing 22 serve to rotate the aforesaid drive shaft and effect drive or rotation of the crosshead. The motor 23, as shown in Figure 1, is mounted on a bracket 24 on one of the legs I8. The axis of the crosshead drive shaft is directly aligned with the vertical center of the receptable.

The two elements I2 are located directly above the upper disc I9 of the rotary horizontally extending crosshead II and are positioned one diametrically opposite the other, as Ishown in Figure 2. They are preferably formed of cast metal and serve to carry the mulling wheels. As shown in Figure 1, the elements I2 are vertically offset in order that the two mulling wheels lie in differentv horizontal planes and are permitted to overlap one another. What may be termed the innermost parts of the outer marginal portions of the elements I2 are provided with vertically extending open ended bores 25 and the central portions of the elements embody vertically extending open ended holes 26. The bores 25, as shown in Figure 3, are lined with bushings 21. The two elements I2 are pivotally connected to the crosshead II by way of upstanding or vertically extending pivot shafts 28. Such shafts are journalled in the bushings 2'I in the bores 25 and have enlarged heads 29 at their lower ends. By reason of the fact that the pivot shafts 28 extend verticallj7 the elements I2 are permitted to swing horizontally. In connection with drive of the crosshead II the elements I2 in response to the action of centrifugal force swing outwards toward the side wall I of the receptacle I0 and normally assume a position wherein they extend radially outwards with respect to the axis of rotation of the crosshead. The enlarged heads 290m the lower ends of the pivot shafts 28 underlie. annular shoulders 38 at the lower ends of the bores and serve to limit downward displacement of the elements I2 with respect to the pivot shafts. The lower ends of the bushing 2l. are provided with outwardly extending annular flanges 3| and these are interposed be- The crosshead is of mate- I9 and has the lower portion thereof I tween the shoulders 30 and the upper faces of the heads 29. The pivot shafts 28 are adjustably connected to the crosshead II by way of a pair of depending eccentrically disposed shafts 32. The latter are rotatably mounted in vertically extending sleeve-like members 33 and have the upper ends thereof formed integrally with the enlarged heads 29 on the lower ends of the pivot shafts 28. The members 33 extend through holes 34 in the upper disc I9 of the crosshead and are fixedly secured in place by being welded to the hole defining portions of said upper disc I9. The shafts 32 are termed eccentric shafts because the axis thereof are laterally offset with respect to the axis of the pivot shafts 28. By rotating the eccentric shafts relatively to the sleeve-like members 33 the pivot shafts may be bodily adjusted towards and away from the center of the crosshead in order to control the spacing of the elements I2 with respect to the receptacle side wall I5. When the eccentric shafts are turned or rotated so that the pivot shafts 28 are in the position shown in Figure 3, i. e., in a position wherein their axis are disposed a maximum distance from the axis of rotation of the crosshead, the elements I2 when swung outwards by centrifugal force in connection with drive of the crosshead are disposed as close as possible to the receptacle side wall. When the eccentric shafts are turned or adjusted 180 so as to bring the axis of the pivot shafts 28 as close as possible to the axis of the crosshead the elements I2 are shifted inwards with respect to the side wall of the receptacle. By turning or rotating the eccentric 3 shafts to any desired extent the pivot shafts may be so adjusted as to cause the elements I2 in connection with outward swing thereof to be positioned as desired with respect to the receptacle side wall. The outer portions of the sleeve- "5 like members 33 in which the eccentric shafts 32 are rotatably mounted are provided with transversely extending set screws 35 for locking the eccentric shafts against rotation relatively to the sleeve-like members after proper adjustment thereof. When these set screws are loosened the eccentric shafts are released and hence may be turned for pivot shaft adjusting purposes.

lThe central portions of the elements I2 are provided with upstanding or vertically extending axles 36. These axles serve rotatably to support the two mulling wheels I2 and embody integral enlarged heads 31 at their upper ends. The lower ends of the axles extend through, and are positioned centrally within, the open ended holes 26 in the elements I2 andare journalled in upper ball bearings 38 and lower ball bearings 39 in order that the axles are freely rotatable relatively to the elements I2. The outer races of the upper and lower ball bearings 38 and 39 fit snugly within the end portions of the holes 26 and the inner races of the ball bearings extend around, and are suitably secured to, the ends of the axles. Lock nuts 40 are mounted on male screw threads on the lower extremities of the axles and serve to hold the axles against upward displacement with respect to the elements I2. Caps 4I are connected by cap screws 42 to the lower central portions of the elements I2 and serve to close the lower ends of the holes 2B and also to prevent the material being mulled from working into the lower ball bearings 39.

The two mulling wheels I3 are associated with the axle carrying elements I2, respectively and comprise annular cast metal bodies 43 and solid rubber tires 44 around the bodies. The bodies surround the elements I2 and are provided at the upper central portions thereof with integral hubs 45. Preferably the bodies of the mulling wheels Iare substantially the same in height as the elements I2 and have the diameter of the inner peripheries thereof slightly greater than the diameter of the outer peripheries of the elements I2. The hubs 45 overlie the enlarged heads 31 of the upper ends at the rotatably mounted axles 36 and are xedly connected to said heads by nut equipped studs 46. By reason of the fact that the axles 36 are rotatably mounted by way of the ball bearings 38 and 39 the horizontally extending mulling wheels I3 are free to rotate relatively to the elements I2. When the crosshead II is driven by the electric motor 23 the elements I2 swing outwards by centrifugal force, as hereinbefore pointed out, and the mulling wheels I3 travel in a circular course around the receptacle side wall I5. During travel of the wheels in such course they spin or revolve relatively to the elements I2 and effect mulling of the material in the receptacle by squeezing it against the receptacle side wall. The mulling wheels are of such diameter that the solid tires 44 thereof do not contact the inner periphery of the side wall of the receptacle even though the pivot shafts 28 for the elements I2 are adjusted to their fullest extent away from the axis of the crosshead Il. By so proportioning the mulling wheels the tires thereof are not permitted to contact the doorway I6 when the door I1 is open. The eccentric shafts 32 constitute or exemplify simple means for varying the spacing of the mulling wheels with respect to the receptacle side wall I5. In connection with mulling of certain types and amounts of material it is necessary to have the mulling wheels spaced inwards a maximum distance with respect to the side wall of the receptacle in order to obtain the most eicient mulling action. In

other cases it is possible to obtain maximum efficiency as well as smoothness of operation by having the mulling wheels positioned as close as possible to the receptacle side wall. By adjusting the pivot shafts 28 inwards or outwards in response to rotation of the eccentric shafts the wheels may be spaced from the side wall of the receptacle the desired distance. Because the mulling wheels completely surround and overlie the elements I2 the material being mulled in connection with operation of the apparatus is precluded from accumulating on the elements I2, and it is asimple matter to clean the operating parts of the apparatus.

In addition to the parts heretofore described the mulling apparatus comprises a plow type deector 41 and a scraper 48. The deector is lixedly connected to the crosshead II and serves during drive of the crosshead to deflect the material to be mulled outwards and upwards into the path of the mulling wheels I3. The scraper 48 is xedly connected to another portion of the crosshead and operates during operation of the apparatus to scrape and deflect the material from the receptacle side wall and direct it inwards.

When it is desired to use the apparatus a batch of the material to be mulled is introduced into the receptacle I0. Thereafter the electric motor 23 is started in order to effect drive or rotation of the crosshead II. During drive of the crosshead the pivoted elements I2 together with the mulling wheels swing outwards in response to centrifugal force and the mulling wheels, as heretofore pointed out, travel in a circular path or course around the inner periphery of the receptacle side wall and in connection with spinning thereof squeeze the material and thus eifect mulling thereof. At the conclusion or completion of a mulling operation the door I1 is opened. As soon as the door is opened the plow type deector 41 operates in connection with drive of the crosshead to deflect the mulled material out of the receptacle via the doorway I6. In the event that the material to be mulled is coarse and has numerous lumps in it it has been found in practice that greatest eilciency is obtained when the mulling wheels are spaced as far as possible from the receptacle side wall. In order so to space the mulling wheels it is only necessary to loosen the set screws 35 on the sleeve-like members 33 and then rotate the eccentric shafts 32 until the overlying or superjacent pivot shafts 28 are turned or rotated to a position where the axes thereof are positioned as close as possible to the axis of rotation of the crosshead II. After such adjustment is effected the set screws 35 are tightened so as to lock the eccentric shafts 32 together with the pivot shafts against turning relatively to the crosshead.

The herein described mulling apparatus is essentially simple in design and is characterized by extremely high eiciency. It may be produced and operated at an extremely low cost and is capable of being used in connection with different kinds or types of material because of the adjustment which is afforded by the eccentric shafts 32.

Whereas the apparatus has been described as comprising two mulling wheels and as being adapted primarily for use in mulling molding sand it is to be understood that it may be made or built with more than two wheels or with one wheel and may be used to mull other material. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat- H ent is:

1. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination with a bowl-like receptacle adapted to retain the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous upstanding side wall, and a horizontally extending crosshead disposed in the central portion of the receptacle, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis and provided with power means for driving it, of a horizontally extending element positioned adiacent the outer portion of the crosshead and having a vertical axle on one portion thereof, a pivot associated with an outer portion of the element and the crosshead and arranged to permit the element to swing horizontally towards and away from the receptacle side wall, a vertical member connected eccentrically to the pivot, journalled on the crosshead so that it is capable of turning about a vertical axis, adapted when turned to adjust the pivot radially with respect to the crosshead, and provided with releasable means for holding it against turning and a rotary horizontally extending mulling wheel mounted on the axle and adapted during drive of the crosshead to swing with the element outwards towards the receptacle side wall, and in addition to travel in a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against said side wall.

2. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination with a bowl-like receptaole adapted to retain the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous upstanding side wall, and a horizontally extending crosshead disposed in the central portieri of the receptacle, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, and provided with power means for driving it, of a horizontally extending element positioned adjacent the outer portion of the crosshead and having a vertical axle on one of its portions and in addition a vertical bearing on an outer portion thereof, a vertical pivot shaft journalled in said bearing and adapted to permit the element to swing horizontally towards and away from the receptacle side wall, a vertical shaft connected eccentrically to one end of the pivot shaft, journalled on the crosshead, adapted when turned to adjust the pivot shaft radially to a limited extent with respect to the crosshead, and provided with releasable means for locking it against turning, and a rotary horizontally extending mulling wheel mounted on the axle and adapted lduring drive of the crosshead to swing with the element outwards towards the receptacle side wall, and also to travel in a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it again-st said side wall.

3. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination with a bowl-iike receptacle adapted to retain the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous upstanding side wall, and a horizontally extending crosshead disposed in the central portion of the receptacle, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, and provided with power means for driving it, of a horizontally extending element positioned adjacent the outer portion of the crosshead and having a vertical axle on one of its portions and in addition a vertical bearing on an outer portion thereof, a vertical pivot shaft jeurnalled in said bearing and adapted to permit the element to -swing horizontally towards and away from the receptacle side wall, a vertical shaft connected eccentrically to one end of the pivot shaft, journalled on the crosshead, adapted when turned to adjust the pivot shaft radially to' a limited extent with respect to the crosshead, and provided with releasable means for locking it against turning, and a rotary horizontally extending mulling wheel mounted on the axle, adapted during drive of the crosshead to swing with the element outwards towards the receptacle side wall and also to travel in a circular course around the side wall and eiiect mulling of the material by squeezing it against said side wall, and so proportioned with respect to diameter that when the element is swung fully outwards and the pivot shaft is adjusted outwards to its fullest extent it is out of contact with the receptacle side wall.

4. A mulling apparatus comprising a bowl-like receptacle adapted to retain the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous upstanding side wall, a horizontally extending crosshead disposed in the central portion of the receptacle directly over the bottom wall, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, having means associated therewith for driving it, and provided with a fixed upstanding eccentrically disposed sleeve-like member, a horizontally extending element positioned over the outer portion of the crosshead and having an upstanding axle on one of it-s portions and in addition a vertical bearing on an outer portion thereof, a vertical pivot shaft journalled in said bearing and adapted to support the element so that it is permitted to swing horizontally towards and away from the receptacle side wall, a vertical shaft connected eccentrically to, and depending from, the lower end of the pivot shaft, journalled in the sleeve-like member on the crosshead, adapted when turned to adjust the pivot shaft radially to a limited extent with respect to the crosshead, and provided with releasable means for locking it against turning, and a rotary horizontally extending mulling wheel mounted on the upper end of the axle and adapted during drive of the crosshead to swing with the element outwards towards the receptacle side wall, and also to travel in a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against said side wall.

5. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination with a bowl-like receptacle adapted to retain the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous upstanding side wall, and a horizontally extending crosshead disposed in the central portion of the receptacle, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, and provided with power means for driving it, of a horizontally extending disclike element positioned over the outer portion of the crosshead, having an outer portion thereof pivotally connected to the crosshead so that it is free to swing horizontally towards and away from the receptacle side wall, and provided at the central portion thereof with an upstanding freely rotatable axle, and a horizontally extending mulling wheel embodying an annular body extending around and serving to house the element and provided at its upper portion with a rigid hub that overlies the element and is in fixed relation with the upper end of the axle, said Wheel being adapted during drive of the crosshead to swing with the element outwards towards the receptacle side wall and in addition to travel in a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against said side wall.

6. In a mulling apparatus of the character z described, the combination with a bowl-like receptacle adapted to reta-in the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous upstanding side wall, and a horizontally extending crosshead disposed in the central portion of the receptacle directly over the bottom wall, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, and provided with means for driving it, of a horizontally extending disc-like element positioned over the outer portion of the crosshead and having at the central portion thereof an upstanding freely rotatable axle, a pivot connection extending between an outer portion of the element and the crosshead, arranged so as to permit the element to swing horizontally towards and away from the receptacle side wall, and having means between it and the crosshead whereby it is capable of being adjusted to a limited extent inwards and outwards with respect to the axis of the crosshead, and a rotary horizontally extending mulling wheel embodying an annular body extending around said serving to house the element and provided -at its upper portion with a rigid hub that overlies and extends across the element and is in fixed relation with the upper end of the axle, said wheel being adapted during drive of the crosshead to swing with the element outwards towards the receptacle side wall and in addition to travel in a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against said side wall,

and being so proportioned with respect to diameter that when the element is swung fully outwards and the pivotal connection is adjusted outwards to its fullest extent it is out of conta-et with the receptaclek side wall.

7. In a mulling apparatus of the character described, the combination with a bowl-like receptacle adapted to retain the material to be mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous upstanding side wall, and a horizontally extending crosshead disposed in the central portion of the receptacle directly over the bottom wall, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, and provided with power means for driving it, of a disc-like horizontally extending element positioned over the outer portion of the crosshead and having an upstanding axle on its central portion, and in addition a vertical bearing on an outer portion thereof, a vertical pivot shaft journalled in said bearing and adapted to permit the element to swing hoizontally towards and away from the receptacle side wall, a vertical shaft connected eocentrically to, and depending from, the lower end of the pivot shaft, journalled in the crosshead, adapted when turned to adjust the pivot shaft radially with respect to the crosshead, and provided with releasable means for locking it against turning, and a rotary horizontally extending mulling wheel embodying an annular body extending around and serving fully to house the element and provided at its outer portion with a hub in fixed relation with the upper end of the axle, and adapted during drive of the crosshead to swing with the element outwards towards the receptacle side wall, and also to travel in a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against said side wall.

8. A mulling apparatus comprising a bowl-like receptacle adapted to retain the material to fbe mulled and embodying a bottom wall and a continuous upstanding side wall, a horizontally extending crosshead disposed in the central portion of the receptacle directly over the bottom wall, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, having means associated therewith for driving it, and provided with a fixed upstanding eccentrically disposed sleeve-like member, of a horizontally extending disc-like element positioned over the outer portion of the crosshead and having an upstanding freely rotatable axle on its central portion and in addition a vertically extending bearing on an outer portion thereof, a vertical pivot shaft journalled in said bearing and adapted to permit the element to swing horizontally towards and away from the receptacle side wall, a vertical shaft connected eccentrically to, and depending from, the lower end of the pivot shaft, journalled in the sleeve-like member on the crosshead, adapted when turned to adjust the pivot shaft radially to a limited extent with respect to the crosshead, and provided with releasable means for locking it against turning, and a horizontally extending mulling wheel embodying an annular body extending around and serving fully to house the element and provided at its upper portion with a hub in fixed relation with the upper end of the axle, adapted during drive of the crosshead to swing with the element outwards towards the receptacle side wall and also to travel in a circular course around the side wall and effect mulling of the material by squeezing it against said side wall, and so proportioned with respect to diameter that when the element is swung fully outwards and the pivot shaft is adjusted outwards to its fullest extent it is out of contact with the receptacle side wall.

WALTER, F. PIPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES lPATENTS Number Name Date 879,807 Besser Feb. 18, 1908 1,526,618 Wickland Feb. 17, 1925 2,306,422 Beardsley Dec. 29, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 121,206 Great Britain Dec. 12, 1918 

